A nurse is administering a vasodilator that dilates resistance vessels. The nurse understands that this drug will have which effect on the patient?

A patient is taking a vasodilator that relaxes smooth muscles in veins. To help minimize drug side effects, the nurse caring for this patient will:

A) caution the patient not to get up without assistance.
B) encourage the patient to increase fluid intake.
C) tell the patient to report shortness of breath
D) warn the patient about the possibility of bradycardia

A nurse is caring for a patient with hypertension and diabetes. The patient's prescriber recently ordered an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. Which statement by the patient indicates understanding of the nurses' teaching about this drug?

A) "ACE inhibitors only dilate veins, so I may have more edema in my ankles."
B) "ACE inhibitors prevent the nervous system from causing increased blood pressure."
C) "This drug can also cause shortness of breath because of bronchoconstriction."
D) "This drug will help lower my blood pressure and will benefit my kidneys."

The nurse is caring for a patient who is taking a vasodilator that dilates capacitance vessles. The nurse will expect which effect in this patient?

A nurse is reviewing the phenomenon of reflex tachycardia with a group of nursing students. Which statement by a student indicates understanding of this phenomenon?

A) "Baroreceptors in the aortic arch stimulate the heart to beat faster."
B) "Reflex tachycardia can negate the desired effects of vasodilators."
C) "Reflex tachycardia is more likely to occur when beta blockers are given."
D) "Venous dilation must occur for reflex tachycardia to occur."

B) "Reflex tachycardia can negate the desired effects of vasodilators."

A female patient with essential hypertension is being treated with hydralazine (Apresoline) 25 mg twice daily. The nurse assesses the patient and notes a heart rate of 96 beats per minute and a blood pressure of 110/72 mm Hg. The nurse will request an order to:

A nurse is obtaining a medication history on a newly admitted patient, who reports taking minoxidil for a hypertension. Admission vital signs reveal a heart rate of 78 beats per minute and a BP of 120/80 mm Hg. What is an important part of the initial assessment for this patient?

A patient is admitted with severe hypertensive crisis. The nurse will anticipate administering which medication?

A nursing student asks a nurse why a patient in hypertensive crisis is receiving both intravenous sodium nitroprusside (Nitropress) and oral hydralazine (Apresoline). The nurse will explain that this is donw to prevent: